Can We Raise the Level of Happiness
Year: 2008
Type: book
Abstract: As Darrin McMahon has shown in his book Happiness – A history, the pursuit of happiness has been a perpetual goal for humankind and though various means to happiness have been suggested by philosophers and theologians alike, empirical studies of happiness have originated only recently, mainly in the past 10 years. These studies show that people in all parts of the world are generally happy, though there are large individual and cultural differences. According to a popular set point theory, the level of happiness rises and falls with changes in life then returns to each person’s genetically determined level. Though happiness remains rather stable in long-term follow-ups, major changes in life – especially losses – do have a lasting effect on the level of happiness. Though there are some scientifically evaluated happiness experiments, these have been quite rare. Both positive actions and attitudes have been suggested as a means to raise happiness. There have been some successes, but until now the follow-ups have been quite short. The final part of this essay presents a model of positive change. Lasting change is possible if change is viewed as meaningful, positive, expected, autonomous, and when pursued with enough effort.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Markku Ojanen
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W157724564